Jesse’s practice covers several areas of the law but are united by her focus on problem-solving for her clients. Jesse assists school boards with the firm’s education law practice. As a former teacher from Des Moines Public Schools, Jesse is uniquely positioned to understand the needs of those involved in public education: the districts, their employees, and the students. Jesse is well versed in first amendment rights of teachers and students, disciplinary considerations for Special Education students, bullying and harassment policies and investigations, open meeting and open records issues, and personnel management, Instructional support levies, and has represented individuals before the Board of Education Examiners and the Department of Education. Jesse practices with the labor and employment section with the firm as well, assisting with non-compete agreements, FMLA issues, and drug testing. Jesse has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in the employment context.

Jesse also maintains a robust banking practice where her area of expertise is in assisting banks with regulatory compliance. Jesse has worked with the Iowa Division of Banking to represent clients on a variety of issues that impact community banks. Jesse has adeptly handled matters dealing with Iowa law like the legal lending limit, portfolio management, consumer credit code, and deposit account agreements. Jesse also knows the federal legal framework regulated by the FDIC, Federal Reserve, and the OCC including issues like consumer privacy under the GLBA, BSA/AML compliance, and the complex home state/host state laws related to out-of-state bank branches. Jesse also handles third-party contract reviews for vendors and servicers of banks including negotiating data processing agreements.

Jesse graduated Magna Cum Laude from Drake University in 2003 after studying English and Political Science. Jesse obtained her Master’s Degree in teaching from Drake in 2004, and worked for Des Moines Public Schools from 2005 – 2012. She worked in a variety of settings with the school district, including as an 8th grade reading teacher and district-wide curriculum coordinator. In 2015, Jesse graduated with high honors from Drake Law School, where she served as associate editor of the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, a member of the moot court board, and a member of the Environmental Moot Court Team.